ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- The 139th Airlift Wing will host a military ball Sept. 13, 2025, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, continuing a long-standing military tradition focused on building camaraderie among Airmen, retirees and local community members.
This year’s theme, “Starry Night,” sets the stage for an evening of formal military tradition and entertainment. Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by a ceremony at 7 p.m. The event will include an honor guard presentation, food, and live music performed by Big Time dueling pianos.
The required dress attire is mess dress for officers and semi-formal for enlisted in accordance with AFI 36-2903. For civilian guests, the dress code is a suit and tie for males and ball gown for females. Ticket costs vary by rank and can be viewed on the website below.
The planning committee began organizing the event over a year ago, led by Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Weber and Master Sgt. Rachel Malchose. Additional committee members joined throughout the year, contributing their time and effort to bring the event together. With a goal of 500 attendees, the team is accepting registrations through August.
Ticket sales and contributions from the Chiefs Association, Maintainers Association and private donors fund the event. Organizers said they worked to balance elegance and cost-efficiency while facing challenges such as securing a photographer.
Attendees will include members of the 139th, retirees, state employees, and local leaders from the Chamber of Commerce, hospitals, law enforcement and emergency medical services.
For many involved, the event is more than just a formal gathering.
“The military ball means a lot to me,” said Tech. Sgt. Klint Kloepping, “I have been in the Air Force for 16 years and I love the opportunity to dress up and celebrate those that have come before us and the work we do to keep the mission going.” The last ball that Kloepping attended, which was hosted by the 139th Airlift Wing in 2019, was described as “full of pomp and circumstance and rooted in rituals and traditions.”
For ticket information, visit: https://www.mongaonline.com/events/eventdetails.aspx?ID=1952515